XpatAthens
Saturday, 21 February 2015 15:10
Imam Bayildi
In the past, when Greeks and Turks were not trading blows, insults, threats, or populations, they somehow found the time to swap recipes, as all longtime neighbours do… Now, there are those who claim that certain Greek foods are Turkish, and there is the counterclaim that many Turkish foods are actually Greek. But who really cares? The Greeks make a certain dish one way and the Turks in another. I have tried both the Greek and the Turkish versions of this recipe, and both versions were equally enjoyable.
The name of the dish “Imam Bayildi” is Turkish for “The Fainting Cleric” and as the legend has it, a certain "imam" (the Muslim term for a religious leader) had just completed a long fast and when this dish was set before him, he was so overcome with the mouth-watering aroma that he fainted. So, whatever the dish may have been called before, it was thereafter renamed in his honour.
Recipe:
6 smallish eggplants
1 lb. ( ½ kg.) onions, chopped
1 cup (250 ml.) of Greek olive oil
3 tomatoes, pulped and strained, or 1 cup (250 ml.) cup fresh tomato juice
3 garlic cloves, finely diced
1 tbsp. (15 ml.) finely chopped parsley
2 tbsp. (30 ml.) breadcrumbs
1 slight pinch of nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1. Wash eggplants well and remove stems and ends.
2. Using a sharp knife, make 4 deep lengthwise slits in each eggplant, make sure each slit runs almost up to but not through each end as we don’t want the eggplant separating into quadrants.
3. Sprinkle salt inside each incision in each eggplant then place the eggplants in a saltwater bath for one hour to drain away their bitterness; then remove and wash eggplants and leave to drain for 5 minutes.
4. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan and add the eggplants. Be sure to turn the eggplants a quarter turn or so every couple minutes to ensure even cooking and fry them until the skin becomes soft and they begin to wilt.
5. Remove the eggplants from the oil and set side by side in a baking dish, always with one incision facing straight upwards.
6. In the same oil the eggplants were fried in, add the chopped onion and sauté until golden then add the tomato pulp and bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, nutmeg and simmer for another 5 minutes then remove pan from heat and allow mixture to cool slightly.
7. Preheat oven to 350° F. (180° C.).
8. Using a teaspoon carefully spread open and fill the topside incision on each eggplant with generous portions of the onion mixture, but be careful not to split the eggplants through as they will be very soft. Once the eggplants have been filled, if there is any leftover onion mixture simply place it in the pan among or between the eggplants and pour any remaining oil from the frying pan over everything.
9. Sprinkle some breadcrumbs overtop of each stuffed eggplant and then place pan in oven and bake for one hour.
Note: As with all oil-rich foods (‘lathera’ in Greek), this dish is best served cool to allow the flavours to coalesce so let cool to room temperature before serving. If you leave it out overnight, it will be even more flavourful on the morrow.
Kali Orexi!
To read more, please visit greekgourmand.blogspot.gr
Published in
Greek Food & Diet
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Monday, 01 June 2015 07:00
Greece's Bathing Waters Of Excellent Quality
"The quality of water in Greece's seas and lakes is known and constitutes a competitive advantage of the country," Alternate Environment Minister Yiannis Tsironis said.
Of the 1540 bathing waters, 1518 were assessed, as 22 points were monitored for the first time in 2014. The new points have not been evaluated for 2014 since the minimum number of samples required by the Directive has not yet been collected. However, from the initial results of 2014 it is evident that the concentrations of microbiological parameters remain below the respective criteria values of excellent quality.
For the remaining 1518 bathing waters, the classification results are the following report: 1495 bathing waters are classified as “excellent quality”. One of them are located in inland waters and the 1494 in coastal waters. 23 bathing waters are classified as “good quality”, one of which is located in inland waters and 22 in coastal waters. None of bathing waters have been classified as “sufficient" or "poor quality”.
"It is everyone's care and obligation - the state and the citizens - to continuously protect our seas and coasts in the best possible way. It is up to us to maintain the quality of our waters forever," Tsironis added.
To read more, please visit: ANA-MPA
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Local News
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Monday, 02 November 2015 15:50
Qatar Airways Adds Direct Daily Service From Sydney & Adelaide To Doha
Qatar Airways has announced its highly anticipated daily direct services from Doha to Sydney starting from 1st March 2016, the third Australian city in the Qatar Airways network. Currently, the Doha-based carrier operates daily non-stop flights to Melbourne and Perth with a total of 14 services each week. It also unveiled yet another exciting Australian destination, with daily non-stop scheduled flights between Doha and Adelaide due to commence on May 2, 2016.
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world to more than 150 destinations spread across six continents. Since the beginning of the year, Qatar Airways has begun services to Amsterdam (The Netherlands); Zanzibar (Tanzania); Faisalabad, Sialkot and Multan in Pakistan, and Abha (Saudi Arabia). In the pipeline before the end of this year is Durban (South Africa) and Nagpur (India). In 2016, the airline is also launching flights to three new US destinations – Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
Daily flights between Doha and Sydney from 1 March 2016 (all times local)
Depart Doha QR908 at 20:10, arrive Sydney at 18:05 (next day)
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world to more than 150 destinations spread across six continents. Since the beginning of the year, Qatar Airways has begun services to Amsterdam (The Netherlands); Zanzibar (Tanzania); Faisalabad, Sialkot and Multan in Pakistan, and Abha (Saudi Arabia). In the pipeline before the end of this year is Durban (South Africa) and Nagpur (India). In 2016, the airline is also launching flights to three new US destinations – Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
Daily flights between Doha and Sydney from 1 March 2016 (all times local)
Depart Doha QR908 at 20:10, arrive Sydney at 18:05 (next day)
Depart Sydney QR909 at 22:20, arrive Doha at 05:05 (next day)
Daily flights between Doha and Adelaide from May 2, 2016 (all times local)
Depart Doha QR914 at 20:55, arrive Adelaide at 16:25 (next day)
Daily flights between Doha and Adelaide from May 2, 2016 (all times local)
Depart Doha QR914 at 20:55, arrive Adelaide at 16:25 (next day)
Depart Adelaide QR915 at 21:30, arrive Doha at 04:50 (next day)
Published in
International Travel
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Friday, 08 January 2016 07:00
Muslims Of Today Were Yesteryear's Greeks
There are some things you might not know about Greek immigration to the United States. This history becomes particulalry relevant when watching the news these days and political candiates like Donald Trump, supported by huge and vociferous crowds, call for the complete ban of people from entering the United States based in their race or religion.
This is nothing new. In fact– today’s “undesirable” Muslims (in Donald Trump’s eyes), were yesteryear’s Greeks.
It’s a forgotten history— something that only occasionally comes up by organizations like AHEPA or the occasional historian or sociologist. In fact, many Greek Americans are guilty of not only perpetuating— but also creating— myths of our ancestors coming to this country and being welcomed with open arms.
A look back at history will prove that this usually wasn’t the case for the early Greek immigrants to the United States. Greeks, their race and religion, were seen as “strange” and “dangerous” to America and after decades of open discrimination, Greeks were finally barred— by law— from entering the United States in large numbers.
The Immigration Act of 1924 imposed harsh restrictions on Greeks and other non-western European immigrant groups. Under that law, only one hundred Greeks per year were allowed entry into the United States as new immigrants.
Much like today, when politicians and activists like Donald Trump use language against a particular ethnic group— like his call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States, the same was the case a hundred years ago. Except then, Greeks were one of the main targets.
There was a strong, loud and active “nativist” movement that was led by people who believed they were the “true Americans” and the immigrants arriving— mainly Greeks, Italians, Chinese and others who were deemed “different” and even “dangerous” to American ideals, were unfit to come to America.
As early as 1894 a group of men from Harvard University founded the Immigration Restriction League (IRL), proponents of a United States that should be populated with “British, German and Scandinavian stock” and not by “inferior races.” Their biggest targets were Greeks and Italians and the group had a powerful influence with the general public and leaders in the U.S. government in their efforts to keep “undesirables” out of America.
To read more, please visit: Pappas Post
Published in
People
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Monday, 06 August 2018 07:00
Pavlopetri - The Oldest Submerged Town In The World
The submerged town of Pavlopetri is situated in shallow water between the beach of Pouda at Viglafia (near Neapoli) and the islet of Pavlopetri, opposite the island of Elafonisos. The architectural remains of this prehistoric town, visible at a depth of about three meters, were discovered in 1904 by Fokionos Negris.
The site was first occupied in 3500 BC, making it one of the oldest known submerged cities in the world. The buildings, spread over six hectares, were divided into smaller rooms and in some cases had inner courtyards. At least six prehistoric roads were traced.
What was found among the ruins were stone-lined graves, probably from the Meso-Helladic period and in adherence with the practice at the time of burying infants and small children within the settlement. At the edge of the town under two small reefs are two Mycenaean chamber tombs. On the beach at Pouda is an extensive prehistoric cemetery of cist graves dating from the 3rd and 2nd millenia BC. Of particular interest are the ceramic vessels known as pithoi found at the site, in which the prehistoric inhabitants of Pavlopetri stored their wheat, oil and other products such as figs and olives, fish and meat. Other pots found there indicate they had developed close links with Kythera, Crete, the Cyclades and the north-eastern Aegean.
The settlement appears to have been abandoned in about 1100 BC. Pavlopetri occupied a prominent prehistoric place in the southern part of the Maleas promontory and was one of, if not the most important ports in the southern Peloponnese as it monitored shipping from the ports of southern Laconia to the Aegean and the western Mediterranean.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greece By A Greek
Image Credit: Protothema
To read this article in full, please visit: Greece By A Greek
Image Credit: Protothema
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Wednesday, 28 June 2017 07:00
Register & Book Your Room For Navarino Challenge 2017
The elite of Greek Olympic Champions in the 5th annual sports tourism fest of Messinia!
We are counting down the days for the 5th consecutive event that will be held between October 13-15, 2017 in Messinia and Costa Navarino shortly before the historic Naval Battle of Navarino.
“Navarino Challenge” is the sports tourism event with the most Olympic ambassadors, and is hosted once more in Messinia with more than 10 Olympic sports!
“Navarino Challenge” promotes the value of “fair play” adopting the purpose of the Olympic Movement, supported by Olympic athletes and Champions who educate young people through sports, without any discrimination. At the same time, the athletes inform them about the benefits of exercise and the Mediterranean diet and prompt the audience to support the cause of the fight against childhood obesity.
Registrations for the multiple award-winning sports tourism event are open and everyone can now take part by completing the special entry form HERE!
Runners of all ages, starting from Navarino Dunes in Costa Navarino will run a coastal route to Pylos beach, crossing Voidokilia beach and following the trail mapped out, back in Homer’s years, by Telemachus, Ulysses’ son, trying to find his missing father. According to the Homeric tradition, when the son of Ulysses arrived on the beach on a ship, he had with him the goddess Athena disguised as Mentor. On their way, runners will discover the mythical Voidokilia, the most famous beach in Messinia and one of the best in the world, with its unique shape that outlines the letter Omega of the Greek alphabet, written as “Ω”!
Participants may select to run in one of the following routes, the exquisite Half Marathon (21,1km), the 10 km route and the 5km run (for running and dynamic walking). At the same day a 1km running route for children will be held. The start and finish points are common. The routes have been designed and edited by the former marathon runner, holder of national best performance on the classical route, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. This year, there will be race timing for all runners.
For one more year, sea lovers will have the opportunity to swim without competition, in the beautiful Navarino bay at the picturesque port of Pylos, covering the unique swimming route of one mile (1.6 km.) designed by the Federal Technical Director in
Swimming, Nikos Gemelos (coach with countless distinctions in the Olympic Games and world championships in open water swimming).
Participating athletes will have the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water "Vikos" that contributes to the well-functioning of the body during sports. In addition, for the fourth consecutive year, athletes and organizers will move with the safety and efficient engines of the cars of Ford Motor Hellas, the official sponsor of “Navarino Challenge”.
Right after, the swimming activity, a Stand Up Paddling race by BIC® Sport will take place for the second consecutive year!
“Navarino Challenge” will present at the port of Pylos an innovative sport like Stand Up Paddling (SUP), which quickly became popular worldwide. It is an easy and ideal sport for someone to enjoy in an area surrounded by some of the best beaches in Greece. The entertaining routes for beginners or experts are the best choices for those who wish to experience the peacefulness of the Ionian Sea. One of the most recognized brands in the world, BIC® company with presence in the field of water sports with BIC® Sport since 1979, is supporting this activity. All athletes participating will have the opportunity to test the credibility of the SUP BIC® boards. Stand Up Paddling will be held with the support of the best surf club, Surf Salad!
The privileged accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are now available for those wishing to enjoy the full schedule of “Navarino Challenge”. For further information please click HERE!
In order to get advantage of these privileged prices it is necessary to have completed your registration for at least one activity in running, swimming, or SUP (per reservation).
“Navarino Challenge” will be held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.
Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #eatwell #runwell #livewell
More information will be announced in the next few weeks.
Official Airline Partner: Qatar Airways
Official Sponsors: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Ford Motor Hellas
Official Supporters: BIC®, BIC® Sport, Wyndham Grand Athens, Poseidonia, Surf Salad
Assisted by: Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Navarino Racquet Academy, Apia
Strategic TV Partner: National Geographic
Under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization
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Local News
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Tuesday, 02 January 2018 09:15
Greek Bakers Break Record With 2,500 Kilo Vasilopita In Athens
Greece rang in the New Year with a record-breaking Vasilopita cake that was 2,500 kilos. The cake was offered to Athens' locals for free as the Greek bakers wanted to send their well wishes for 2018.
Greek City Times reports, "the 70-metre-long and 3-metre-wide Vasilopita was cut in 15,000 slices at a Platia (centre square) in Athens’ suburban municipality of Peristeri and is the largest ever made in Greece, according to organisers."
Over fourty people worked non-stop for three days to prepare the record-breaking, delicious cake, said Panagiotis Sachinidis, President of the Association of Athens’ Bakers who took the initiative.
The municipality of Peristeri hid 200 “lucky coins” inside the cake for good luck. Locals were also given small gifts by the Mayor of Peristeri Andreas Pachatouridis who helped slice the cake. “We are cutting the Vassilopita of the love and solidarity,” he said addressing the event.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek City Times
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Local News
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Thursday, 27 June 2019 07:00
A Brief History Of Coins
Ancient coins are among the most well-preserved archeological findings and allow useful insight into antiquity; they offer a glimpse into the past in terms of international trade, prominent figures, culture, and traditions.
Even though lately there is a trend for digital money and cryptocurrencies, it is the archaic invention of coinage and its use as an official means of trade that shaped the course of history as we know it.
In ancient Greece, thin long metal rods called 'ovolos' preceded the coin. Six 'ovoloi' equaled an ancient drachma, which derives from the ancient Greek word 'drattomai' that means grasp or handful. Coinage was born when the 'ovoloi' took on a more convenient rounded shape during the Archaic Age, preceding democracy (508-507 BC).
According to Aristotle, the first coins were minted by Hermodike II, daughter of King Agamemnon of Aeolian Kyme, while Herodotus credits the Lydians, a western Anatolian people.
Although it remains unclear who first developed this method of transactions, the ancient Greeks are regarded as the earliest adopters of minted coins.
Even though lately there is a trend for digital money and cryptocurrencies, it is the archaic invention of coinage and its use as an official means of trade that shaped the course of history as we know it.
In ancient Greece, thin long metal rods called 'ovolos' preceded the coin. Six 'ovoloi' equaled an ancient drachma, which derives from the ancient Greek word 'drattomai' that means grasp or handful. Coinage was born when the 'ovoloi' took on a more convenient rounded shape during the Archaic Age, preceding democracy (508-507 BC).
According to Aristotle, the first coins were minted by Hermodike II, daughter of King Agamemnon of Aeolian Kyme, while Herodotus credits the Lydians, a western Anatolian people.
Although it remains unclear who first developed this method of transactions, the ancient Greeks are regarded as the earliest adopters of minted coins.
"...money has become by convention a sort of representative of demand; and this is why it has the term money (νόμισμα), because it exists not by nature, but by law (νόμος) and it is in our power to change it and make it useless."
- Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics
To read this article in full, please visit: Portes Magazine
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Tuesday, 14 May 2019 07:00
Athens-Thessaloniki Express Train Service To Be Launched On Monday
The first express electric train service to carry out the Athens-Thessaloniki route will be launched on Monday, May 20. The new trains are expected to shorten the journey by more than an hour, covering the distance in 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Christos Spirtzis, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, is expected to present the new 450km-long electrified double-track railway line, on Wednesday. The express electric train service will be incorporated into Trainose's daily schedule and will include two stops, one in Lianokladi and one in Larissa.
Initially, the service will be operated by 3 trains offering all necessary amenities for a comfortable trip, including WIFI while two modern trains similar to the Silver Arrow are expected to arrive from Italy shortly.
Article Source: AMNA
To book your train tickets online, please visit: www.trainose.gr
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Local News
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Tuesday, 03 September 2024 10:40
How To Stay Safe During An Earthquake
An earthquake is a sudden, abrupt shaking of the earth's upper crust caused by the shifting of rocks deep below its surface. Because of their unexpected onset, earthquakes can sometimes result in injuries and damage to properties and roads; they can also cause fires, tsunamis, or landslides.
Greece is the most seismogenic country in Europe and the 6th in the world. Dozens of earthquakes happen every day; however, most of them go unnoticed. Noticeable earthquakes happen in Greece about 1-3 times a year and not in all locations. Depending on your place of residence, you may not feel an earthquake for years.
In the event of an earthquake, protect yourself straight away.
- Do not get in a doorway.
- Do not run outside.
- If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
- If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
- If you are outside, stay outside and away from buildings.
Stay Safe During an Earthquake
To stay safe during an earthquake follow these 3 steps: drop, cover, and hold on.
Drop
Nomatter where you are, drop down to all fours. If you’re on a wheelchair or walker with a seat, lock the wheels and stay seated until the quake stops.
Nomatter where you are, drop down to all fours. If you’re on a wheelchair or walker with a seat, lock the wheels and stay seated until the quake stops.
Cover
It is important to cover your head and neck with your arms and crawl under a sturdy table or desk for shelter. Alternatively, crawl next to an interior wall, keeping away from windows. Stay on all fours or bent over to protect your vital organs as best as possible.
It is important to cover your head and neck with your arms and crawl under a sturdy table or desk for shelter. Alternatively, crawl next to an interior wall, keeping away from windows. Stay on all fours or bent over to protect your vital organs as best as possible.
Hold On
If you are under a table, hold on to it with one hand and be prepared to move with it if it moves. If you are unable to drop to the floor, assume brace posiotion, covering your head with your arms holding on to your neck with both hands.
If you are under a table, hold on to it with one hand and be prepared to move with it if it moves. If you are unable to drop to the floor, assume brace posiotion, covering your head with your arms holding on to your neck with both hands.
Published in
Everyday Tips & How To’s
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